Research & Innovation

First electric, zero emission air taxis moved a step closer as Lilium Aviation revealed it has successfully carried out flight tests on a new VTOL aircraft prototype over the skies of Germany. Watch the video.
 

The world’s biggest plane, the Stratolaunch, may be flying by the end of the year. The giant twin-fuselage aircraft will act as a low cost air launch platform, but can also carry cargo with a range of 1,300 miles
 

Latecoere explains its new electric aircraft doors, designed to improve safety and technical problems associated with operating current mechanical doors.
 

A NASA-led team successfully completed flight tests of a new air traffic tool aimed at maximizing efficiency, and making flights more punctual for passengers. Watch our video and read the article to find out more.
 

Airbus unveiled its modular ground and air concept car at the International Motor Show in Geneva. The revolutionary Pop.Up vehicle is designed to reduce emissions and beat congestion by taking to the city skies. Watch the video without comment and read our article to find out more.
 

Russian company Hoversurf has been riding ahead with plans for a flying motorbike since 2013. This hybrid machine capable of flying 30 feet (10 m) above the ground for half an hour is currently being tested in flight. So when will it be on the market? Later this year, if the manufacturer’s optimistic schedule is to be believed.
 

The Chinese quadcopter EHang 184 might be ferrying its first passengers between skyscrapers as soon as July. This according to a recent announcement by Dubai's transport agency. Dream or reality? Watch the video without comment. Read the article.
 

A supersonic jet flying at over 2,300 km/h with 45 passengers aboard is the project of American startup Boom. The XB-1, as it’s been named, could begin flying in 2023. A reduced-size model, dubbed ‘Baby Boom’, should be ready for take off by late 2017.
 

Airbus group has announced its decision to delay a stratospheric flight by its Perlan 2 glider in Argentina – aimed at gathering vital information on climate change and the state of the ozone layer.
 

At the Greener Aviation conference held this week in Brussels, Clean Sky has done a progress report on the two phases of its European research program, at a crucial moment.
 

This year, ONERA is celebrating its 70th birthday but far from slipping into retirement, this scientific research centre is buzzing with projects, some of which are aeronautical, like NOVA and AMPERE that we present here. Watch the video. Read the article.
 

As we announced on the 7th of September, Virgin Galactic’s new space vessel (VSS unity) has just entered into service. Securely attached to the shuttle, the vessel carried out its maiden flight from the Mojave Desert in California. Watch the video (no commentary). Read the article.
 

A flying wing that several independent capsules get clipped up to. That’s what the Clip-Air project we reported on last year is all about. The project is being developed at the Federal Polytechnic Institute in Lausanne (Switzerland), which is now looking at adapting it to business aviation.
 

Six months after roll out, Virgin Galactic’s new space shuttle is due to resume flight-testing. The FAA has just given it the green light. This test campaign will no doubt last a long time as confirmed by the French agent for Virgin Galactic.
 

An aircraft cabin that can detach itself from the rest of the aircraft in case of an inflight emergency. This is the concept that an engineer has developed to make air transport safer still. It’s an ingenious system however it won’t be seen on commercial aircraft before 2025.
 

At the Farnborough Airshow this week, the European research programme, Clean Sky, presented the status of several of its key projects. Amongst them are the Open Rotor, the laminar wings and the hybrid propulsion engine.
 

Since 2011, Airbus has been working on ejectable floating black boxes; a system that will facilitate the rapid recovery of aircraft recorders following a crash, and which could be in service within the next five years. Listen to the interview with Charles Champion, head of Airbus Engineering.
 

This is a unique off-road flying buggy that was marketed at the Eurosatory defense and security show in the north of Paris. Developed by the French company Vaylon, Pegase is the world’s first off-road flying buggy.
 

On the occasion of the ILA Berlin Air Show, the European research programme Clean Sky 2 presented its academy. An initiative to building stronger ties with young scientists and invent the future of aviation.